The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Budenholzer, 44, was initially pulled over because his vehicle did not have working tail lights. The trooper who stopped Budenholzer noticed alcohol on his breath, after which the former Spurs coach failed a field sobriety test. He declined to take a breath test and was released on bail early this morning.

Budenholzer was hired to head up the Hawks shortly after the Spurs’ run to the Finals. He had been with the Spurs for nearly two decades, most recently as the lead assistant to head coach Gregg Popovich. Their relationship stretches back to the 1980s, when Popovich recruited Budenholzer to play at Pomona-Pitzer colege.

Updated, 2:45 p.m. —

From Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry:

“We take this matter seriously and have been in constant communication with Coach Budenholzer throughout this situation. We support him during this legal process and will let that take its course.”

Last night, Atlanta Hawks head basketball coach Michael Budenholzer was stopped by a Georgia State Patrol DUI Task Force officer for a broken taillight. He was stopped solely for an equipment violation and committed no traffic offenses. The trooper demanded that he submit to a breathalyzer, and when Coach Budenholzer asked to consult with an attorney first, he was immediately arrested and charged with DUI.

While at the jail, after consulting with an attorney by telephone, he immediately volunteered to take both a breathalyzer and also requested that a blood alcohol test be performed. His request for testing was refused. Immediately upon his release on bond, Coach Budenholzer went directly to Piedmont Hospital where his blood was tested at the earliest opportunity, albeit several hours after his arrest. The official report from the hospital blood test revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was less than .01, well below the legal limit of .08.

Coach Budenholzer has no prior criminal record and entered a plea of Not Guilty to all charges this morning in the Atlanta Municipal Court.

“I take my role as a leader very seriously and hold myself to a high standard,” said Budenholzer. “I apologize to the fans and to the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon my family and the organization while the legal process evolves and I contest these misdemeanor charges.”

Budenholzer is charged with one count of driving under the influence and one count of a taillight violation. The two-page arrest report, acquired by the Journal-Constitution, can be read HERE and HERE.